Barwon Heads inflicted Anglesea’s first loss of the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association A1 Grade season and narrowed the gap to just three points on the ladder.
While Anglesea is still a firm premiership favourite, the Heads have pushed themselves into the equation and now seem certain to play finals.
Anglesea easily won the first meeting between the two sides this season and Heads captain Max Melzer said the loss was “humbling”.
“We had a very humbling loss in our last fixture at Elimatta Road, pre-Christmas so it was nice to bank the points against a class opposition in Anglesea,” he said.
The Seagulls made 7/180 batting first with five of the top six contributing at least 25.
Melzer (34) and brother Harry (40) put on 59 for the opening stand.
“We have both batted at the top for the last couple of games,” Melzer said.
“We have used some different opening combinations this season, a horses for courses approach.
“Very pleasing that most of the top six got in against a quality bowling group. Would have been nice for one to go on. We will look to improve on that for the coming two-day fixtures.”
Anglesea quick Darcy Elliott excelled with 3/15 from eight overs continuing his impressive season.
With leading run scorer Tyron Norman missing through injury, Anglesea had its worst batting performance of the season, crashing for 87 in the 32nd over.
Spin duo Sam Schaller and Dan Donaldson and seamer Darcy Hewitt each picked up three wickets and the fielding was again strong.
“We were rolled for 90 in our last game against Anglesea so it was pleasing to be able to post a total that enabled our bowlers to apply some pressure,” Melzer said.
“The coaches put in a power of work (into fielding) on a Tuesday and Thursday night. There is a real hunger to improve from the young brigade.”
Melzer said the group wasn’t looking any further ahead than this week.
“After coming up from A2, we would be elated to finish in the top four, but there’s lot of cricket to play out between now and then,” he said.
JAN JUC continued its late march to clinch a finals spot with a 70-run win against Inverleigh. Edward Cole (69) and Nick Hyden (66) were the architects in a final total of 6/171 and spinner Tom Kearney (3/10 from eight overs) and Hyden (3/12) had success with the ball with the Kookaburras all out for 101.
BARRABOOL won a rain-shortened game against Ocean Grove. The match reverted to a 20/20 contest with Barrabool posting 8/125 batting first. Alex Mann’s leg-spinners netted him 5/32 for Ocean Grove while Lachie Grigg top scored with 30 from 18 balls. Mick Thornton (46 not out) and Suman Shrestha (32 not out) tried hard to get the Grubbers over the line, but they fell 15 runs short. Ed Morrison was the pick of the bowlers with 2/10 from four overs.
ARMSTRONG CREEK won a thriller against Queenscliff. Skipper Daniel Maclean picked up three wickets as Queenscliff made 7/134 batting first. In reply, Clay Mulgrew made 40 at the top of the order, but three wickets each to Max Potter and Lachie Stott got the Coutas back into the game. At 9/126, the game was anyone’s but the Titans scrambled home with four balls remaining.
